Even though the economy seems to be recovering — ever so slowly — the economic crisis is just beginning for some, Catholic Charities USA reports.

New people continue to walk through the doors of Catholic Charities sites nationwide, according the agency’s latest Snapshot Survey covering the first quarter of 2010.

From St. Vincent Center in Yakima, Wash., to Catholic Charities in Virginia Beach, Va., the 36 programs that responded to the survey are seeing many more newcomers from working middle-class families seeking emergency food and assistance with rent, mortgage or utility payments.

Sizable increases in requests for assistance also were reported by agencies from among the homeless, senior citizens and children.

The result: waiting lists are growing, agency staff are distressed and discouraged and food vouchers are disappearing.

Combined with cuts in state and federal funding, things don’t look good for a quick recovery, the survey concludes.